Dual-function penetrator liner for multifunctional warhead

ABSTRACT

A dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead. A dome-shaped outer portion is disposed in an inner front end of a warhead body to be concave in a direction opposite to a direction in which the warhead body is fired. A fastening portion is disposed in an outer circumferential direction of the outer to fasten the outer portion to the warhead body. A conical central portion is enclosed by the outer portion to protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the warhead body is fired. The outer portion and the central portion are concentric.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0041514, filed Mar. 31, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a dual-function penetratorliner for a multifunctional warhead, having dual functions of fragmentsand an explosively formed penetrator. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a dual-function penetrator liner designed toovercome degradations in penetration performance of the penetrator,which would otherwise be caused by, for example, components disposed inthe front portion of a guided missile, while ensuring the ability topenetrate a target, by adding liner shape of a shaped charge to acentral portion thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Representative types of directional-energy warheads having a mechanismof concentrating explosive energy of main charge to destroy a target,such as an armored target, use a shaped charge warhead and anexplosively formed penetrator. A shaped charge has a sufficient amountof energy able to penetrate an armored target, since a level of pressuregenerated when a superfast jet generated by the main charge energythereof collides against the armor significantly exceeds the yieldstrength of a material of the armor. An explosively formed penetrator isformed by a mechanism similar to that of the shaped charge. However, thespeed of the penetrator ranges from 2 km/sec to 4 km/sec, which isslower than the jet tip speed of the shaped charge (typically rangingfrom 7 km/sec to 9 km/sec). The shape of the penetrator is similar tothe shape of a penetrator of a kinetic energy warhead, i.e. a singleslug, instead of being similar to an elongated jet shape. A typicalshaped charge warhead has an elongated configuration, since the innerangle of a liner thereof is fundamentally smaller than that of theexplosively formed penetrator to generate high penetration force. Due tothis configuration, at the same warhead length, the shaped charge has asmaller amount of main charge charged therein than the explosivelyformed penetrator. In a configuration of a multifunctional warhead usinga metal jet or a penetrator while using a warhead body as fragments, theuse of a liner of a shaped charge reduces the absolute amount of highexplosive main charge charged therein. This, however, reduces explosiveenergy of main charge transferred to fragments, thereby making itdifficult to realize multiple functions. The explosively formedpenetrator is advantageous in realizing multiple functions of formingfragments and functioning as a penetrator, since a greater amount ofmain charge can be charged, due to the axial length of the liner beingrelatively short in relation to the overall length of the warhead body.However, when a warhead having multiple functions of forming fragmentsand functioning as an explosively formed penetrator is constructed andactually operated in a guided missile, the penetration performance ofthe explosively formed penetrator is lowered by interferences with, forexample, components disposed in front of the warhead. The componentsdisposed in front of the warhead are made of a variety of materials,such as steel, aluminum, and plastic. Due to this feature, kineticenergy of the penetrator may be rapidly lost, so that penetration energyof the penetrator may be completely exhausted before the penetratorarrives at a target. That is, when a warhead having a conventionalexplosively formed penetrator, as described above, is disposed within aguided missile, the explosively formed penetrator may not havepenetration force capable of actually destroying a target, sincepenetration energy is exhausted by interferences with components infront of the warhead after the warhead is detonated.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a dual-function penetrator liner for amultifunctional warhead, embodied by adding a liner shape of a shapedcharge to a liner of an explosively formed penetrator for amultifunctional warhead, thereby overcoming the problems in thatobstructions of front components or the like make it impossible to forman explosively formed penetrator, and that an insufficient amount ofcharged main charge is used, which may be a drawback of the shapedcharge.

Specifically, when main charge within a guided missile is detonated, theliner having the shape of a shaped charge, which is faster than theexplosively formed penetrator, expands as a jet to penetrate and rupturefront components in advance to the explosively formed penetrator. Then,the explosively formed penetrator is ejected along the path formed bythe liner, so that the amount of penetration energy lost by the frontcomponents is minimized. Accordingly, the dual-function penetrator linerfor a multifunctional warhead can concurrently perform multiplefunctions of generating fragments, generating a jet, and functioning asa shaped penetrator.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention providesa dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead, havingfunctions of forming fragments and functioning as an explosively formedpenetrator. The penetrator liner may include: a dome-shaped outerportion disposed in an inner front end of a warhead body to be concavein a direction opposite to a direction in which the warhead body isfired; a fastening portion disposed in an outer circumferentialdirection of the outer to fasten the outer portion to the warhead body;and a conical central portion enclosed by the outer portion to protrudein a direction opposite to the direction in which the warhead body isfired, wherein the outer portion and the central portion are concentric.

The dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warheadaccording to the present invention is designed such that the ratio ofthe diameter of the central portion with respect to the outer portion isa predetermined value. With this configuration, a shaped charge jet,which is faster than an explosively formed penetrator, removes frontcomponents, and then the slower explosively formed penetrator is ejectedalong a path formed by the jet to minimize the loss of penetrationenergy. Accordingly, a single warhead can concurrently perform multiplefunctions of generating fragments, generating a jet, and functioning asa shaped penetrator.

In addition, the dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctionalwarhead according to the present invention can also be used as afollow-through warhead in which a superfast shaped charge (i.e. jet)forms a penetration hole in armor and then an explosively formedpenetrator passes through the penetration hole formed by the jet,thereby destroying the interior of a target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of amultifunctional warhead equipped with a dual-function penetrator linerfor a multifunctional warhead according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective viewillustrating the dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctionalwarhead according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front image and a top image illustrating adual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating a metal jet generated by atypical shaped charge warhead, and FIG. 4B is a schematic viewillustrating the shaped charge warhead;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating a penetrator generated by atypical explosively formed penetrator warhead, and FIG. 5B is aschematic view illustrating the explosively formed penetrator warhead;and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating changes in the shape of adual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead, over time,after being fired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodimentsof the present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may bemodified in many different forms and the scope of the present inventionshould not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the concept of the present invention tothose skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions maybe exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be usedthroughout to designate the same or like components. Detailedexplanations of known related functions and constitutions may be omittedto avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the presentinvention.

The present invention relates to a dual-function penetrator liner 32 fora multifunctional warhead, having dual functions of forming fragmentsand functioning as an explosively formed penetrator. The dual-functionpenetrator liner 32 includes: a dome-shaped outer portion 32 b disposedin an inner front end of a warhead body 33 to be concave in a directionopposite to a direction in which the warhead body 33 is fired; afastening portion 32 c disposed on the outer circumference of the outerportion 32 b to fasten the outer portion 32 b to the warhead body 33;and a central portion 32 a enclosed by the outer portion 32 b toprotrude in the direction opposite to the direction in which the warheadbody 33 is fired. The outer portion 32 b and the central portion 32 aare concentric.

The maximum diameter D2 of the central portion 32 a is about 30% of themaximum diameter D1 of the outer portion 32 b.

The thicknesses of the components are measured in a direction in which aguided missile is fired.

The thickness t1 of the outer portion 32 b is about 3% to 5% of themaximum diameter D1 of the outer portion 32 b, while the thickness t2 ofthe central portion 32 a is about 2% to 4% of the maximum diameter D2 ofthe central portion 32 a.

The fastening portion 32 c is stepped along the outermost peripheralportions of the outer portion 32 b.

In the dual-function penetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warheadaccording to the present invention, when a multifunctional warhead 31functioning as fragments and an explosively formed penetrator isdisposed within a guided missile, the dual-function penetrator liner 32can destroy a target by minimizing a decrease in kinetic energy of theexplosively formed penetrator by removing interferences from frontcomponents or the like. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating aconfiguration of the multifunctional warhead 31 equipped with thepenetrator liner 31 having dual functions for a multifunctional warheadaccording to the present invention. FIG. 1 is given for betterunderstanding of the shape and fastening method of the dual-functionpenetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective viewillustrating the dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctionalwarhead according to the present, invention.

As apparent from FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the central portion 32 a has theshape of a shaped charge, and the outer portion 32 b has the shape of anexplosively formed penetrator. FIG. 2A is the cross-sectional view ofthe dual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead,illustrating the diameters and thicknesses of respective portions. Themaximum diameter D1 of the outer portion is the diameter of the outerportion 32 b adjoining the inner surface of the warhead body 33. Themaximum diameter D2 of the central portion means the diameter of around-machined edge portion of the central portion adjoining the outerportion, i.e. the maximum diameter of the portion machined to be round.

The ratio of the maximum diameter D1 of the outer portion with respectto the maximum diameter D2 of the central portion must be a specificvalue to maximize an effect of removing the front components in theguided missile (obtained by the central portion) and an effect ofpenetrating a target (obtained by the outer portion). When analysis andexperiment were performed by using the ratio of the maximum diametersbetween the outer portion 32 b and the central portion 32 a as avariable, it was determined that optimal penetration performance can beobtained when the maximum diameter of the central portion is 30% of themaximum diameter of the outer portion. This can be represented by thefollowing formula 1:

D ₂ /D ₁≅0.3,  [Formula 1]

where D1 is the maximum diameter of the outer portion, and D2 is themaximum, diameter of the central portion.

In addition, although the explosively formed penetrator for amultifunctional warhead may be designed such that the thickness thereofis variable, optimal performance can be obtained only in the case thatthe thicknesses of respective portions are predetermined ratios of thediameter of the dual-function penetrator liner 32 for a multifunctionalwarhead. Specifically, the thickness t2 of the central portion is about2% to about 4% of the maximum diameter D2 of the central portion, whilethe thickness t1 of the outer portion is about 3% to about 5% of themaximum diameter D1 of the outer portion. These can be represented bythe following formulas 2 and 3:

0.03≤t ₁ /D ₁≤0.05  [Formula 2]

0.02≤t ₂ /D ₂≤0.04,  [Formula 3]

where D1 is the maximum diameter of the outer portion, D2 is the maximumdiameter of the central portion, t1 is the thickness of the outerportion, and t2 is the thickness of the central portion.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating a metal jet generated by atypical shaped charge warhead, and FIG. 4B is a schematic viewillustrating the shaped charge warhead. In addition, FIG. 5A is aschematic view illustrating a penetrator generated by a typicalexplosively formed penetrator warhead, and FIG. 5B is a schematic viewillustrating the explosively formed penetrator warhead. Referring toFIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, a shaped charge liner 12 and a detonator tubeare concentric, while an explosively formed penetrator liner 22 and adetonator tube are concentric. These configurations are intended tomaximize the explosive performance of guided missiles. The dual-functionpenetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warhead according to thepresent invention is also configured to be concentric with a detonatortube 36.

Next, the explosion sequence of the guided missile, to which thedual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead accordingto the present invention is applied, will be described. In response toan explosive signal being received from a fuse disposed in a rear cover35 at the rear of the multifunctional warhead 31, explosive energy of anelectric explosive tube detonates the detonator tube 36 and thendetonates a main charge 34 within the warhead. Then, first, the warheadbody 33 made of a metal, forming the shell of the warhead, is fragmentedby expansion and rupture, due to the explosive energy of the main charge34 transferred thereto. In subsequence, the explosive energy of the maincharge 34 is transferred in the axial direction of the warhead, therebyarriving at the central portion 32 a of the dual-function penetratorliner 32 for a multifunctional warhead, prior to the outer portion 32 b.The central portion 32 a is collapsed by the explosive energy, therebybeing deformed into a metal jet having a jet tip speed of about 7 km/secto about 9 km/sec. The metal jet is ejected to the front of the guidedmissile, thereby penetrating and rupturing components disposed in frontof the guided missile. Afterwards, the explosive energy is transferredto the outer portion 32 b, causing the outer portion 32 b to beself-forged into the shape of a penetrator. The self-forged penetrator,i.e. the outer portion 32 b, is ejected forwardly from the guidedmissile at a speed of about 2 km/sec to about 4 km/sec. Since the outerportion 32 b having the shape of a penetrator is ejected along a pathobtained as a hollow space, penetrated and ruptured by the centralportion 32 a in the shape of a metal jet, a decrease in the penetrationby interferences with the front components is reduced. In other words,the dual-function penetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warhead isdeployed into a shape having two functions, i.e. forming a metal jet andan explosively formed penetrator, by the explosive energy of maincharge.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating changes in the shape of adual-function penetrator liner for a multifunctional warhead, over time,after being fired. Referring to FIG. 6, the shape of the dual-functionpenetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warhead is gradually deformed,in the direction from right to left. As in the right part of FIG. 6, atan early stage of firing, both the central portion 32 a and the outerportion 32 b are ejected. Gradually, the central portion is ejectedahead due to the faster speed thereof, and the outer portion followsafter the central portion. Afterwards, as in the left part of FIG. 6,the central portion 32 a′ proceeds, separated from the outer portion 32b′.

When the dual-function penetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warheadis connected to a warhead 33 designed to form fragments, thedual-function penetrator liner 32 is fixed to the warhead 33 using alocking nut 37, since the concentricity of assembly is important forobtaining a predetermined level of penetration performance. Afterwards,adjoining portions of the warhead body 33 and the dual-functionpenetrator liner 32 for a multifunctional warhead are sealed using anadhesive 38 or the like. This can consequently remove gaps, throughwhich the main charge 34, i.e. a castable plastic bonded explosive, orthe like may leak when injected through the rear portion of the warheadbody. It is advantageous for increasing penetration force whenshockwaves of explosive energy are symmetrically transferred due todetonation occurring at the center of the warhead. Thus, the detonatortube 36 is disposed to be accurately located in the central portion ofthe main charge 34, using a charging tool or the like, so that thedetonator tube 36 and the main charge 34 are set to be concentric whenthe main charge 34 is cured.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed for illustrative purposes, a person skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications and other equivalent embodimentsare possible without departing from the essential characteristics of thepresent disclosure. It should be understood that the present inventionis not limited to the foregoing particular embodiments but the technicalscope of the present invention shall be defined by the technical spiritof the appended Claims. In addition, it should be understood that thepresent invention shall embrace all modifications, equivalents, andsubstitutions within the spirit and scope of the present inventiondefined by the appended Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual-function penetrator liner for amultifunctional warhead, having functions of forming fragments andfunctioning as an explosively formed penetrator, the dual-functionpenetrator liner comprising: a dome-shaped outer portion disposed in aninner front end of a warhead body to be concave in a direction oppositeto a direction in which the warhead body is fired; a fastening portiondisposed in an outer circumferential direction of the outer to fastenthe outer portion to the warhead body; and a conical central portionenclosed by the outer portion to protrude in a direction opposite to thedirection in which the warhead body is fired, wherein the outer portionand the central portion are concentric.
 2. The dual-function penetratorliner according to claim 1, wherein a maximum diameter of the centralportion is about 30% of a maximum diameter of the outer portion.
 3. Thedual-function penetrator liner according to claim 2, wherein thicknessesof the outer portion and the central portion are measured in thedirection in which the warhead body is fired.
 4. The dual-functionpenetrator liner according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of theouter portion is about 3% to about 5% of a maximum diameter of the outerportion.
 5. The dual-function penetrator liner according to claim 4,wherein the thickness of the central portion is about 2% to about 4% ofa maximum diameter of the central portion.
 6. The dual-functionpenetrator liner according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion isstepped along outermost peripheral portions of the outer portion.